The Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Presidential Center stands as a landmark destination on Chicago’s South Side, creating a place for education, civic engagement, and community connection.
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As part of the Clayco | Ardmore Roderick joint venture, the team helped deliver the Obama Presidential Center, designed by internationally acclaimed architects Todd Williams and Billie Tsien and constructed by Lakeside Alliance. The campus was envisioned as a place where visitors can reflect, connect, and be inspired to create positive change in their own communities.

Serving as the centerpiece of the campus, the Museum building established a new civic landmark for Jackson Park and welcomed visitors from around the world. Its striking design embodies the concept of ascension—a movement upward inspired by grassroots action—and draws from the image of four hands coming together, symbolizing the collective effort required to shape communities and create lasting impact.

The Obama Presidential Center reflects the power of thoughtful design, collaboration, and construction to create places that honor history while inspiring future generations.

A new branch of the Chicago Public Library will feature interactive digital media spaces and amenities for children, informational and vocational resources for adults, and a reading room for all to enjoy. This unique partnership is the first of its kind and will provide almost every South Side resident with access to a public library within walking distance. The branch will also have a garden on its roof. Similar to the garden that Mrs. Obama planted at the White House, it will be a place where young people and community members can get their hands dirty and learn about growing fruits and vegetables—and there will even be a few bee hives for honey.

The park surrounding the Center will offer play areas, walking paths, and a sledding hill, all connected by a long pedestrian promenade that joins the Center to Jackson Park and runs alongside its beautiful and historic lagoons. And it wouldn’t be the Obama Presidential Center without a place to shoot some hoops. The fourth main building on the campus will be the Program, Athletic, and Activity Center. The facility will be a home for recreation, community programming, and events.

Grand Opening

As the Obama Presidential Center opens on Juneteenth, it marks the beginning of a new chapter rooted in the values of community, leadership, and opportunity.

Presidential Visit

President Obama visited the Obama Presidential Center jobsite. Construction of the center is fully underway and it was great for the former president to tour the site and cheer on the team. Clayco is proud to have been able to contribute to this project and help bring this museum and library to the Chicago community.

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